In response to the coronavirus pandemic, CESJDS grade governments have been stepping up to help those in need throughout the community and staying connected during this time. 

The junior class grade government recently organized a food drive to alleviate pressures on those who have lost their jobs or are struggling with the effects of the pandemic. The goal is to help alleviate some of the pressure families in the community are facing to put food on the table.

“We invite the community to donate anything that they have to people who are truly suffering from hunger,” junior class president Jack Weitzner said. 

In addition to their food drive, the junior class also planned a school-wide spirit week that included a pajama day, a superhero day, a wacky Wednesday, a twin day and a JDS spirit day.

The sophomore class grade government has started an initiative for the grade to write letters to healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the pandemic, thanking them for all their hard work.

The sophomores have also hosted virtual meetings to continue to connect the class, including virtual grade lunches and a movie night.

“We organized grade meetings, ways to help our community and support our teachers,”  sophomore co-president Oren Swagel said.

The freshman class created a video to thank first responders and healthcare workers for their hard work and dedication during this crisis. Their grade government reached out to every member of the grade to create the video, which received over 500 views on Instagram.

“We made a long video out of everyone’s clips to say thank you to doctors and healthcare workers, and we were able to reach 95 percent participation from our grade, which is incredible,” co-vice president Samantha Eidelman said. 

The freshman class also took this opportunity to do a grade-wide Kahoot game during a scheduled flex block to catch up with one another. 

As learning continues to remain remote, Dean of Students Roslyn Landy is excited to see participation from the student body in these events. 

“I’m very, very proud of the students who are participating,” Landy said. “I would love to have greater involvement but am happy to have some who are so committed to the [food bank] project.”